🎵 Meet Cadence Chung — Mezzo-Soprano, Returning for NZOS 2026 🎵 We’re delighted to welcome Cadence Chung back to Whanganui this summer — a young artist whose momentum since Opera School 2025 has been nothing short of remarkable. Over the past year, Cadence has: • Earned major awards, including the Les and Sonia Andrews’ Cultural Foundation Scholarship, the NZSM Opera Award for Excellence, the Cammick Scholarship, and the Ariadne Danilow Music Prize. • Performed widely — from NZ Opera, Wellington Opera, and Days Bay Opera choruses, to taking the title role in Ravel’s L’enfant et les sortilèges with NZSM Opera. • Premiered a new song cycle she composed, and toured Aotearoa sharing poetry and music from her book release. • Built a growing concert career grounded in curiosity, creativity, and hard work. Cadence credits her first summer at NZOS as the moment that reignited her belief in pursuing performance, especially after recovering from vocal injury. With her foundation now strong, her goals for 2026 are clear: to expand vocal colour and agility, refine emotional expression, and deepen her stagecraft so she can grow into a distinctive, compelling operatic performer. We’re thrilled to support the next chapter of her artistic journey. 🌟 #NZOperaSchool #ClassOf2026 #OperaTraining #Mezzo #NZTalent #OperaInAotearoa

🎶 Meet Ivan Zhang – Tenor | Returning Student We’re delighted to welcome back Ivan Zhang to the New Zealand Opera School for 2026! After an inspiring first year in Whanganui, Ivan returns with renewed focus — ready to refine his sound, deepen his artistry, and continue exploring what makes the human voice so powerful. For Ivan, the NZOS experience is more than just training: “To think solely about the music as the first thing when you wake up, and have music be your last thought before bed.” Looking ahead, Ivan hopes to continue his studies overseas before returning home to Aotearoa to share his knowledge and give back to the community that shaped him. We can’t wait to see how his journey evolves this summer in Whanganui. #NZOperaSchool #ClassOf2026 #OperaTraining #Tenor #NZTalent #OperaInAotearoa

In the long gone His Majesties Theatre Queen St, Auckland. #nzoperaschool #archives

🕊️ Sir Donald McIntyre 🕊️ May he Rest in Eternal Peace. From the Archives of Donald Trott. Taken in the grounds of Government House Auckland following the Investiture of Sir Donald on the 9th October 1992 Donald Trott (Chair Auckland Opera) Sir Donald McIntyre, Stephen Dee ( General DirectorAuckland Opera) Dame Catherine Tizard  (Governor General) Jill Lady McIntyre. #nzoperaschool #archivee #sirdonaldmcintyre

🎤 A Rare Glimpse Behind the Curtain — Public Masterclass with Mary Plazas Ever wondered what really happens in a singer’s training session? Join us for an unforgettable evening with Mary Plazas from the Royal Northern College of Music (UK) as she works directly with our talented students — guiding, refining, and inspiring them in real time. 📅 Monday, 12 January 2026 🕢 7:30–9:30 PM 📍 Prince Edward Auditorium, Whanganui Collegiate School 🎫 Tickets $25: www.whanganuivenues.co.nz or TicketSearch: https://rwoh.sales.ticketsearch.com/sales/sales Whether you’re a lifelong opera lover or simply curious about the craft, a masterclass offers a fascinating window into how great voices are shaped. It’s educational, inspiring — and always full of those magical “aha!” moments. Don’t miss this chance to see world-class vocal coaching in action. #WhanganuiOperaWeek #NZOperaSchool #Whanganui #MaryPlazas #OperaTraining #Masterclass

🎵 Meet Tomairangi Henare – Baritone | Returning Student We’re delighted to welcome back Tomairangi Henare to the New Zealand Opera School for 2026 — a singer whose artistry and heart have grown deeper this past year. For Tomairangi, each performance begins with character and connection — singing with heart at the forefront while trusting the voice to tell the story. This year, his focus continues on vocal freedom and physical well-being, finding balance between strength and stillness. Above all, his goal remains steadfast: ✨ to represent his Māori community and whakapapa on international stages, wearing his culture with pride. We can’t wait to work with him again! #NZOperaSchool #ClassOf2026 #OperaTraining #Baritone #NZTalent #OperaInAotearoa

🎭 Meet Bayley Goldstone – Tenor | NZOS Class of 2026 A fresh voice joining us this summer, Bayley Goldstone arrives at the New Zealand Opera School with clear goals and great enthusiasm. He’s eager to refine his vocal technique under the guidance of NZOS’s world-class tutors, explore the art of stagecraft, and grow his presence as a performer — learning how to truly connect with an audience through music and storytelling. One dream he’s already looking forward to? Stepping onto the stage of the Whanganui Opera House to perform an aria during our final showcase, Great Opera Moments. We’re thrilled to have Bayley join the NZOS whānau and can’t wait to see him shine in Whanganui this January. #NZOperaSchool #ClassOf2026 #OperaTraining #Baritone #NZTalent #OperaInAotearoa

🎶 2025 Coombes Johnston BMW NZ Aria Results 🎶 What a weekend for opera in Aotearoa — and what an inspiring night in Rotorua! Congratulations to Sarah Mileham (Winner), Katherine Winitana (2nd Place), Jordan Fonoti-Fuimaono (3rd Place), and Jack Doyle (Most Promising), all part of our NZOS whānau. We also warmly applaud all the finalists for their beautiful performances and dedication: Kieran Kelly, Anh Thu Nguyen, Faamanu Fonoti-Fuimaono, Alfred Fonoti-Fuimaono, Emma Jones, Tomairangi Henare. Each artist brought something uniquely moving to the stage — a celebration of passion, perseverance, and storytelling through music. Bravo to everyone involved and to the NZ Aria Trust for keeping this treasured tradition alive. 👏 #NZOperaSchool #NZAria2025 #OperaInAotearoa #NZAria #Rotorua #nzopera 📸©️Afred Fonoti-Fuimaono

🗞️ Spotted in the NZ Herald! Our Whanganui Opera Week advert made its debut in New Zealand’s widest-selling newspaper — a little moment of pride as we count down to January’s incredible week of music and performance. Did you spot it over your Saturday coffee? 👀 ✨ Tickets are live now — join us in Whanganui and be part of Aotearoa’s home of opera. 🎟️ www.operaschool.org.nz/whats-on #WhanganuiOperaWeek #NZOperaSchool #NZOS #WOW #OperaInWhanganui #NZOpera #OperaTraining

🎶 Opera x Evenings at The Hilton every Friday! Tonight we were lucky enough to hear the soaring voices of Mike Liu and Antonia Brightwell, joined by the brilliant Jun Casteblanco-Zheng at the piano. From golden arias to heartfelt pieces, it’s the perfect way to start your weekend — Auckland hospitality at its finest, with live opera just steps from the sunset. So join us on Fridays, for Opera x Champagne! 📍 Hilton Auckland — Fridays from 6:30pm Free entry | Open to all #NZOS #NZOperaSchool #LiveOpera #Auckland #HiltonAuckland

🎶 In Praise of Music — Tickets Now Available! Join us on Sunday, 11 January 2026 (11:30 AM – 12:30 PM) at the Whanganui Collegiate School Chapel for one of the most moving and uplifting traditions of Whanganui Opera Week. Featuring glorious choral works and celebrated hymns, this annual concert places the spotlight on the power of music itself — a morning of harmony, reflection, and joy. 📍 Whanganui Collegiate School Chapel 🎫 Tickets $20: www.whanganuivenues.co.nz or TicketSearch https://rwoh.sales.ticketsearch.com/sales/sales An unmissable moment in our week-long celebration of opera and song. #WhanganuiOperaWeek #NZOperaSchool #InPraiseOfMusic #Whanganui #LiveMusic #ChoralCelebration

🎶 Meet the Class of 2026 – Blake Scanlen 🎶 Introducing baritone Blake Scanlen from Auckland — a newcomer to opera, but one already showing huge dedication and curiosity for the craft. With a background in choral and oratorio singing and training under Catrin Johnsson, Blake joins the New Zealand Opera School to explore opera as a storytelling art form — strengthening his technique, expanding his range, and discovering new confidence as a solo performer. He sees NZOS 2026 as a chance to experiment, learn, and find new pathways for his voice — and we can’t wait to see where this journey leads. #NZOperaSchool #NZOS2026 #OperaAotearoa #NextGeneration #OperaTraining #BaritoneVoices